Dancing over the competition

Talented Ripon performers have scooped a place in the Yorkshire final of a talent competition.

The youngsters from dance groups, Switch aged between 10 and 14-years-old and SO Reps, aged between eight and 11-years-old, run by dance and drama coach Sam Hesketh were successful in the local heats of Festival4Stars held in Barnsley.

The two groups will now go forward to the Yorkshire finals on June 10 in Scarborough. Three of the dancers also made it through as solo performers, 13-year-old Amelia Dodds won a place in the individual dance category. Singers Elliot Hutchinson, 10 and Billie Tweddle, 12 won spots in the musical and solo singer categories respectively.

“I couldn’t believe it when the results were announced and all of my performers came top of their categories,” said Sam.

“I was absolutely delighted with all the children, they have worked extremely hard towards the event and I am very proud of them.

“There was some tough competition from young people all over Yorkshire.